Chapter 18 - The Device Bag
Dr. Kessler’s face had gone pale.
“I didn’t know,” she said.
Clara looked at her.
“Then start knowing.”
The woman opened her portfolio with shaking fingers.
“The order came through Mr. Vale’s counsel.”
Lydia extended her hand.
“All of it.”
Dr. Kessler handed over the folder.
Ethan moved toward her.
“Do not.”
Sebastian Blackthorn entered through the side hall before Ethan could take another step.
Not a relative by blood close enough to matter socially.
But close enough to be trusted.
Sebastian was Clara’s cousin, former Marine, estate security director, and the only man August called “Uncle Bash” because Sebastian claimed “Uncle Sebastian” sounded like he owned a haunted violin.
He wore a charcoal suit and no expression.
Two estate officers followed.
Not dramatic.
Not loud.
Present.
“Mr. Vale,” Sebastian said. “You and your guests need to step away from Clara and August.”
Ethan looked at him.
“This is a family matter.”
Sebastian’s eyes moved to the backpack under Clara’s foot.
“Then why did you bring a device bag?”
That was the word.
Device.
Dr. Kessler stepped back.
Vivienne covered her mouth.
Clara looked down.
Sebastian crouched several feet away, not touching it yet.
“Clara, I need August behind me.”
Clara lifted her son.
He clung to her neck.
“I’ve got him.”
“Good.”
Sebastian nodded to one estate officer, who placed a hard protective case on the floor.
With gloved hands, Sebastian opened the backpack.
Inside was a stuffed whale.
A coloring book.
A juice box.
A folded sweater.
And beneath the padded liner, a small black recording unit with cellular uplink.
Clara felt August’s heart pounding against her chest.
Ethan said, “That is not mine.”
The lie was so fast it insulted the air.
Lydia looked at him.
“It was in the backpack you brought.”
“I didn’t pack it.”
Vivienne stared at him.
“Ethan.”
He did not look at her.
That was confirmation.
Again.
Always.
He used people until consequences arrived, then left them standing closest to the evidence.
Sebastian lifted a tiny clear pouch from the backpack’s hidden seam.
Inside was a folded document.
Lydia read the visible line through the plastic.
Her face changed.
“What is it?” Clara asked.
Lydia did not answer immediately.
That frightened Clara more than if she had cursed.
May you like
Ethan’s breathing changed.
The old house recorded that too.
